HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (10)

HAIR LOSS PREVENTION (10)

Over The Counter Treatments

The most popular over-the-counter hair restoration
drug today is Rogaine®, a brand of topical monoxidil
solution by Pfizer Corporation, approved for over the
counter sale in 1997 by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Monoxidil was originally used as a blood pressure
medication, and then doctors found that it produced the side
effect of increased scalp hair growth. Today monoxidil
remains the only FDA approved pharmaceutical topical
solution proven to grow hair. In the preliminary studies
held in 1985, 55% of men tested were able to re-grow hair
with extra strength Rogaine® (5% topical monoxidil
treatment), although the best results came from those who
had been balding for less than 10 years and were bald in a
section of four inches across or less. Another test study
compared the results of regular strength Rogaine® (2%
topical monoxidil solution) with the extra strength version,
and found that subjects grew 45% more hair with the extra
strength Rogaine® than with the regular strength Rogaine®,
and users of both solutions outgrew the users of the
placebo. Only 6% of those tested experienced any type of
irritation. Rogaine® works by blocking the production of
DHT. Of course there are generic brands of topical
monoxidil solution also on the market. Rogaine® was
originally made only for men’s use, and then a women’s
version of the drug was produced. Similar results were
achieved with the women’s version. As with both men’s
and women’s versions, users must take note that continuous
use of the drug is necessary to maintain the newly grown
hair, as it is a usual reaction for newly growing hair to stop
growing and fall out when one ceases to use the drug. As
with any drug, follow all directions and cease to use if
irritation or discomfort persists.
Of course many people choose not to use drugs to
treat conditions, because they want to avoid the use of
chemicals and their possible side effects. In this case, there
are several treatments in existence that have been found to
block the production of DHT and thus work similarly to
topical monoxidil products. As mentioned earlier, Saw
Palmetto has been used effectively to block DHT in the
treatment of prostatic disease, and is now being explored
for its effectiveness in stimulating hair growth.
Traditionally it has been used by herbalists to stimulate hair
growth effectively. Nettles, usually taken in the form of
Nettle Root Extract has shown itself to be effective in
preventing hair loss as well. More information on these was
covered in the section called Natural Hair Remedies.